Machine for stenciling ware



AMaly 3, 193s.

l w. M. sEcoY MACHINE FOR STENCILING WARE Original Filed Aug. 22, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet l May 35 l938- W. M. sEcoY A 2,116,467

MACHINE FOR STENCILING WARE Original Filed Aug. 22, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 w. M, sEcoY MACHINE FOR STENCILING WARE 5 Sheets--Sheei'l I5 Original Filed Aug. 22,1935

\ Snnentor wiLBuR'MEcoY (Ittotneg 5 May 3, 1.938. w.`M. sEcoY I MACHINE FOR 'STENCILNG WARE 'Original Filed Aug. 22, 1935 5 Sheets- Sheet 4 y wlLBuR MSECUY ttornegf May 3, 1938. w. M. sEcoY 2,116,457

y MACHINE 4FOR STAENCUJING'` WARE I original Filed Aug. 22, 1955 5 sheets-sheet 5 UD r Fil CO Smaentor 'm WILBUR M.SECOY Gttorneg5 ami ma, sa v 2,116,467'

FOR STENCILING WARE Wilbur M. Secos', Lancaster, Ohio, assigner,` by 01188,

mesne assignments, to Solar Labora Beaver, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application .iugm zz. issn-.serial No. 31,346

mma sume 1o, im

This invention relates to stenciling apparatus Fig. 3 is a side view on a larger scale with parts and it is particularly directed to apparatus of broken out and parts in section on the stencil this character for decorating the surfaces of carrying frame showing the squeegee therein.

articles which have circular or curved surfaces, Fig. 4 is a view in elevation on the larger-or 5 or which are frusto-conical. right hand end-of the stencil carrying frame, as 5 It has been the objective of the present invenshown in Fig. 3. this view also showing the tor to provide a machine or apparatus of this squeegee therein. character employing a frusta-conical rotary sten- Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a fractionof the ciling means which incorporates an adjustment stencil carrying frame showing some details means for varying the taper of the screen for thereof.. 10 `dec'sorating articles of different taper or diameter y Fig. 6 is a view looking down on the upper end vThe inventor has also contemplated a general of the squeegee holder shown in Flgx3. adjustment for adjusting the machine relative to Fig. 'l is a front view of the frame for supportthe axis of the support for the article being' ing the adjusting parts of the stencil carrying vstencileiframe, said adjusting means not appearing there- 15 It has been a further objective of the present on. r inventor to provide an apparatus for stenciling Fig. 8 is a combined edge and sectional view' tumblers or the like, which employs astencillng of the supporting frame shown in Fig. 'l with screen in the form of a drum and includes within adjusting and amustableparts in connection the drum an internallysupported squeegee, which therewith.

is readily adjustable for accommodating the ad- Fig. 9 is a view in side elevation of segments 20 justments of the drum. included in the screen carrying frame. It has been a further objective of the present Fig. 10 is a view of the segments of the screen inventor to provide a rotary type stenciling means carrying frame looking to the left of Fig. 6.

to which the tumbler or other article to be sten- Fig. 11 is a fractionalend view of one of the 25 ciled is delivered in an improved conveyor of segments of the screen carrying frame. rotary type which supports the tumbler for rota- Fig. 12 is a section on the line XlI--XII tion when engaged by the rotary stenciling Fig. 9. A screen. Fig. 13 is a detail showing a bridging means These objectives have been achieved in the for the junction between the segmental screen 30 present invention. A preferred embodiment of frames. the invention, as disclosed, may include a driven In the views I5 designates the main frame upon stenciling drum and a 'rotary or turntable type of which a larger portion of the mechanism is supdelivery or conveyor' means for rotatably supported. At the rear end of said main frame is porting the articles to be'stenciled and successlidabiy mounted a supplemental frame I6 to 35 sively bringing thein'into contact with the exwhich is pivoted a non-rotatableshaft 28 for terior of the screen'ilhe squeegee in the further supporting the screen drum, said supplemental development of'thfinvention may be located frame being adjustable longitudinally on the within the drum.- In its application to the probmain frame by means f a feed screw i1 threaded 40 lem of stenciling tapered or frusto-conical-artiinto the lower portion of said supplemental 40 cles, the drum may be ,truste-conical, and means frame. The feed screw and supplemental frame is included for adjusting 'the angular relationare held from longitudinal movement by means ship -of the axes of the drum and the article to be of stops Il and Il on the screw and betweenan stenciled. Additionally,l means is provided for upwardly extendingarm of a bracket 2l iixedly .15 adjusting the angularity of the sides of the drum, bolted to the rear -end of the main frame. in other words for changing the taper of the 'Ihe supplemental frame It is provided with drum. sockets at II, Il* and 23, any one of which can Other objects and further advantages will be receive a bifurcated pivoting member 24 for the more fully apparent from a description of the screen drum supporting shaft 2l, said pivoting accompanying drawings in which: member having a pin .to enter such socket and 50 Figure l is. a view in side elevation, with a small be fastened therein by a .set screw at 2l. By this part in section, of .a machine according to the means the screen drum can be given a gross ininvention. itial inclination of its axis from which a nicer Fig. 2 is a top pian view with the stencil carryinclination of the working face of the screen can be made bv other means herein set forth. A 55 relatively shorter shaft can be readily substituted for shaft 25 if necessary in making the initial or gross inclination, or the shaft 25 can be shifted in or through the axis of the screen drum.

The screen drum includes a base or rear member 21 provided with a. central hollow rearward hub extension 21e. Extending through said hub 21.* is a sleeve or tube 28 ilxedly secured by a set screw 29 tothe non-rotating shaft 26.

The screen drum 1s rotatably supported by suitable roller bearings at 30 and Il on said stationary sleeve or tube 28. At its rear the base or rear end of the screen drum has attached to a flange thereon a large annular gear 32. The-portion of the screen drum that receives the stencil screen is shown as of three equal frusto-conical segmental open frames 33, each provided with an ear 33'* whereby it is pivoted, as shown at 34, to the base or rear member 21 so as to form the structure ,by which the screen stencil fabric can be secured. Also pivotally connected at 35 with the rim of the base member 21 are three bars 35 of T-cross section. These bars 35 are equidistantly spaced in their pivotal connections with the rim of the base 21 so as to intervene the segmental frames; and said bars are engaged with said segmental frames by means Aof slidable latches ll, each of said latches having a bifurcated end that embraces one leg of the head of the T-bar 35.

By moving the T-bars on their pivots the seg-` mental frames can be either spread or contracted to some extent and to such extent asis permitted by the transverse dimensions of the T-bar to adjust the segmental frames and therefore the taper of the frusto-conical screen frame or drum for the purpose of cooperatingin 'securing a parallel contact of the stencil screen` with the ware to be imprinted with paint.

The means `for effecting the adjustment last described includes a spider having a hub member 38 provided with three equally spaced radial arms 383L and each of which arms is longitudinally grooved in its forward face to receive a bar l! slidable in the groove, said bar very slightly exceeding in thickness the depth of the groove. At its upper end each bar 39 is provided with an orifice to receive for operating engagement the extended free end of the T-bar 35 (see Fig. 4).

. To retain each of said bars ll in its groove the arms I.. are each provided at its upper end with a cover or clamping plate 4I bolted tightly thereto to secure and support the screen segments in adjusted position, the bolts of said plate Il being released when an adjustment of said segments is to be made.

' Ihe hub 38 of said spider is journaled loosely on the stationary tubular part 28; and telescoped on said hub .of the spider is a sleeve 4I having three identical cam arms 4I", the cam edges of which each contact with a roller 42 on the bar 34 so that by turning said sleeve Il to the left, as viewed in Fig. 4, the bars 34 are simultaneously forced outward and then held in the position tov which adjusted by vtightening down the plates Il with the bolts therein. The sleeve 4i of the cam device is retainedon the hub oi' the spider by means of' two collars and IP provided with set screws Il and I4* binding said collars to the hub.

or structure' usual in decorating ware and hav' ing therein the.V .design for application therethrough of paint to the ware, is secured to the exterior surface of each of the segmental framesV nie stencil screen ".which is of the fabric by wooden pegs. as-indicated by dots at Il* in Fig. 1, driven into drilled holes in the frame, or by any other suitable means. The design in the stencil screen frame, an example of which is shownl at 50h, can, of course, be diverse.

The junction between the segmental frames, when assembled with screens. is bridged at the inner side of the drum by means of a strip of fabric or tape 55 pasted to the adjacent fabrics.

The squeegee is hung on the stationary tube 28 within the screen drum and so that its paint presing member l contacts with the' inner surface of the screen in the several screen segments as they are brought in succession under it by the rotation of the screen drum. It is proposed that the screen segments shall each act on a separate piece of ware. In other words, that in one rotation of the screen drum it shall cause the decoration of three pieces of ware.

'I'he squeegee includes a strip of rubber 5I clamped between two plates 52, said plates being pivoted by means of a shaft 53 carried in a frame including end members 55 and 55 .secured to a hanger 51 provided with ears 5l `and 5l* for attaching it to the stationary tube 2l. The end member 55 is slotted and slldably bolted to a second part 5B* that is hinged to the hanger 51, said parts 55 and 55 being heid on the pin 53 by a connecting spring 53". The squeegee proper can be removed by this construction without removing its hanger. l

By these means also the inclination of the operating edge of the squeegee 5| can be varied to make it lie flush to theinner surface of the screen after the screen drum has been adjusted to the taper of the ware to be decorated. The bearing for the pin 53 in the end member 55 is elongated and therefore loose `to permit slight rocking -in adjustment.

The hanger 51 has an extension at 51* perforated to receive a rod 55, saidrod having at its lower end a pressure head 50 engaging a bearing on the upper side of the squeegee clamping member 52, said rod and head being pressed by a coil spring 5i between the extension 51* and a stop 62 on the rod, so as to cause the squeegee 5i to be held with a sufilcient but yielding pressure to `force paint through the designl on the screen;

Supported in the main frame at the forward end thereof is a turntable mechanism comprising a vertical rotary column l1li having removably connected therewith a suitable spider 1|, said spider having hinged lthereto at 12. for oscillation vertically, nve chucks or cradles 14. Each of said cradles has suitably located anti-friction rollers 14* for supporting the ware-for instance a tumbler-shown at 1I to be decorated.

p Bald lcolumn 1I can be intermittently rotated by means of any suitable mechanism, as for exampie a Geneva movement (not shown) operated by the electric motor 1l through gearing or a belt 11 so as to successively place each of the articles to be decorated in proper elevated position below the stencil for the intervals between the rotations of the spider bythe Geneva or similar move-ment. An illustration of a Geneva movement suitable for themachine, with obvious modifications for the-present purpose is shown and described in the United States patent to Edward Miller, No. 1,932,141, dated` October 24, 1933.

Revolving with the rotatable column 1l below the tumbler or ware carrying head is a wheel the ware to be decorated.

The lower ends, of the pins 82 travel on a circu- -lar stationary ledge 84 provided at its inner or rear surface with an upwardly projecting inverted V-shaped cani 85. so positioned that it elevates each ofthe pins 82v and cradles with the ware thereon as carried thereto to put the ware in line contact with the exterior face of the stencil screen. This contact of the ware with the stencil screen is such that friction of the exterior surface of the screen when rotated causes the elevated ware to rotate in the cradle on the anti-friction rollers of the latter.

The weight of the stencil drum is primarily supported by means of a bracket 88 having at its upper end a, pair of rollers at 81 between and on which rollers the lower side-,of the hub 21' rests, said bracketbeing clamped and held between a pair of plates bolts to the upper forward `end of the supplemental frame.

The screen drum is driven by means of a small gear 88 engaging the larger gear 32 at the rear end of the stencil carrying drum. Because the small gear 9D should properly aline with the larger gear I2 said small gearhas a shaft 8| that is mounted in a movable frame 92 having spaced bearings 98 joined by a web Il, the structure being held clamped 'in the desired position by screw bolts 85. v

'Ihe shaft carrying the small gear 88 for drivi ing the stencil drum has secured toit a belt wheel 9| driven by a beltv 81 taking power from another belt wheel 88 on a shaft 98. As the last mentioned wheel 8l should be alined with the wheel 88 on the shaft 81 of the small gear said last mentioned wheel has its shaft 88 journaled on a frame lill adjustable on a stationary base |82. 'I'he shaftv 89 has coupled to it by means of a universaljoint at |08 a power driven shaft |84 journaled in a stationary frame |88.

All the moving parts are driven bythe electric motor 18. The belt`11 drives the primary shaft 11* of the Geneva movement. said Geneva movement being confined in the housing |81. 'I'he hub of the belt wheel of said shaft of the Geneva movement drives, through a friction clutch at IIL-a pinion |88 that 'engages gear Ill, the shaft of which is provided with a pinion engaged with another gear H2, the shaft of which latter has a wheel carrying a belt |`|8 that drives the shaft -In practice the paint to be applied to` the ware is placed on the inner surface of the stencil screen. The tumblers .or other ware are placed in the cradles, one at a time by an attendant and after being elevated and receiving the decoratinifpaintl the articles are removed by another attendant and thence to a le'hr to be fused. The mechanism is so timed for operation that the article to be decorated receives its paint from` one of the three segmental frames, and a complete rotation v of the screen drum effects thev decoration of three of the articles. But this operation can be varied.

The forms and proportions of the parts can be changed without departing from the gist of the invention as claimed. i

WhatI claim is:

l. In a machine for decorating ware with paint or, similarmaterial, a stencil screen holder inl 88 adjustably secured by a bolt or- 3 cluding a drum having an axis of rotation, said drum composed of a base portion and segmental stencil receiving frames' pivoted to said base `portion and means for adjusting said lframes'to ing a drum having an axis of rotation, said drum composed of a base portion and segmental stencil receiving frames pivoted to said base portion and means for adjusting said frames to vary the inclination .of .the sides of the drumv to the axis thereof. said adjusting means including a spider frame mounted-at the axis of the drum. andv means carried thereby engaged with the segmental frameand a cam device mounted at the i axis of the drum for simultaneously actuating the said means carried by the spider frame.

3. In a machine for decorating ware with paint or similar material, a, stencil screen holder including a drum having an axisof rotation, said f drum composed of a base portion and segmental stencil receiving frames pivoted to said vhase por# tion and means for adjusting said frames to vary the inclination of the sides of the drum to the axis thereof, said adjusting means including a spider 3- frame mounted' at the axis ofthe drum,l Iand means carried thereby engaged with theJ segmental frame', and a cam device mounted at the axis of the drum for simultaneously actuating the said means carried by the spider frame and devices for locking said actuating means carried by .the spiderframe.

'4. In a machine for decorating were` with paint Vor similar material, a stencil screen 'holding "means including a drumhaving'an axis of rotation, said drum composed of ,a base portion. segmental stencil receiving fram pivoted to said base portion, and means for adjusting said frames to vary the inclination ofthe sides of said drum tothe axis thereof, and means for presenting ware to bedecorated to said sides to form a line contact with the screen.y

5. In a machine for decorating ware with paint or similar material, astencil screen holding means including a drum `having an axis of` rotation, said drum composed o'f a base portion, segmental stencil receiving frames pivoted to said base portion, and means for adjusting ysaid frames to vary the inclination of the sides of said drum to the axis. thereof, adjustable means for presenting ware to be decorated to said sides to form a line contact with the screen when the drum is adjusted. f'

6. `In amachine `for decorating ware withpaint or similar material, a rotatable stencilV screen drum including a base, a plurality of segmental frame members pivoted uponthe base and means for adjusting the frame members to, vary their angular relation to the axisof rotation of the drum. a relatively stationary tube `uponwi'iich said drum rotates and means whereby the angular relation of said tube and the axis of thedrum -to the horizontal `can be varied.

'1. In a machine for decorating ware with paint or similar material, a rotatable stencil screen drumincluding a pluraiityof segmental frame members pivoted 'upon a ibase and means for .adjusting .said frame members to vary their angular relation to the'axis of rotation ofthe drum. a relatively stationary tube upon which said drum rotates, means whereby the angular relation of said tube and the drum to the horizontal can be varied. a squeesee supported `non 7s said tube within said drum and means for adjusting the operating member of said squeegee to press paint through the stencil.

8. In a machine for decorating ware with paint or similar material, a stencil carrying drum having an axis of rotation, a main frame upon which the same is supported, a supplemental frame adjustable upon said main frame, a non-rotatable shaft having means for adjustably connecting the same with said supplemental frame for changing the angle of the axis of rotation of said drum, a stationary tube mounted on said shaft extending through saiddrum and on which said drum rotates, and a squeegee carried by said tube.

9. In a machine for decorating ware with paint or similar material, a supporting frame, a frustoconical stencil carrying drum having an axis of rotation, a non-rotatable shaft on said supporting frame carrying a non-rotatable tube within which said shaft is longitudinally adjustable and ilxable to adapt the stencil to the wareto be decorated, said stencil drum mounted to rotate on said tube, and a. squeegee ycarried by said tube.

10. In a machine for decorating ware with paint or similar material, a supporting frame, a stencil carrying drum having an' axis of rotation, a non-rotatable shaft secured on said supporting framev carrying a non-rotatable tube` within which said shaft is longitudinally adjustable and nxable to adapt the stencil to the ware to be decorated, said stencil drum mounted to rotate on said tube and a squeegee carried by said tube havingits paint operating member adjustable into parallel relation to said screen.

11. Ina -machine for decorating ware with paint or similar material, a supporting frame, a stencil carrying drum composed of movable segments, saidY drum having an axis of rotation, a non-rotatable shaft connected with said base for supporting said drum, a' non-rotatable tube within which said shaft is longitudinally adjustable, said stencil drum mounted to rotate on said tube, and means for varying and fixing the angular relation of said movable segments to the axis of motion of the drum.

l2. In a machine for decorating ware with paint or similar material, a supporting frame, a

non-rotatable shaft pivoted to said frame for angular adjustment, a tube secured non-rotatably on said shaft. a frusta-conical lstencil can-ying drum rotatably mounted on saidtube and a aqueuse within the drum stationarlly supported in operation by said tube.

13. In a machine for decorating ware with paint or similar material, a supporting frame, a non-rotating shaft and means whereby said shaft can be connected at different points on said supporting frame, a .tube secured non-rotatably on said shaft, s stencil carrying drum rotatably mounted on said tube, and a squeegee within the drum stationarily supported by said tube.

14. In a Vmachine for decorating ware with paint or. similar material, a rotatable frustoconlcaldrum carryingastencillng screen, arelatively stationary shaft about which said drum isrotatable onits axis,asqueegeesupported within the said drum by said stationary shaft and means whereby said squeegee can be adjustedinangular relationtotheaxisofsaidshaft.

15. In a machine for decorating ware with paint or similar material, a rotatable frustoconical drum a stencilingscreen, a relatively staiionaryshaft aboutwhich said drum is rotated, a tube secured to said shaft4 within the drum and, a squeegee within the drum supported by said tube.

16. In a machine for decorating ware with paint or similar material, a rotatable frustoconical drum carrying a stenciling screen, a stationary tube supported within said drum around the axis of the drum and a squeegee Within said drum supported by said tube.

17. In a machine for decorating ware with paint or similar material, a supporting frame, a non-rotating shaft connected with said supporting frame and angularly adjustable with respect thereto, a tube secured non-rotatably on said shaft, a frusto-conical stencil carrying drum rotatably mounted on said tube and adapted to have the angle of its axis varied by adjustment of said shaft, a squeegee within the drum stationarily supported my said tube, an annular gear on said drum, a driving gear for said annular gear, an angularly adjustable shaft on which said gear is fixed and an adjustable power driven means for alining the same with the driving gear for said annulargear when the axis of the stencil carrying drum is changed.

18. In a machine for decorating ware with paint or similar material, a supporting frame, an angularly adjustable axle connected with said frame, a stencil carrying drum rotatably mounted on said adjustable axle whereby the axis of rotation 0f the drum in respect to said frame can be varied, an annular gear nxed on said drum, a driving gear engaging said annular gear, an adjustable shaft on which said drum driving gear is mounted, and a power operated means adjustable for alinement with said last named gear.

19. In a machine for decorating ware with paint or similar material, a supporting frame, an angularly adjustable axle connected with said framea stencil carrying drum rotatably mounted on said adjustable axle whereby the axis of rotation of the drum in respect to said frame can be varied, and an annular gear fixed on said drum, a driving gear engaging said annular gear, an adjustable shaft on which said drum driving gear is mounted, and a power operated means adjustable for alinement with said last named gear, said last named means including a driven shaft composed of two parts connected for universal movementone of which parts carries a driven lsprocket wheel and a sprocket belt operatingly connecting said shaft part with a sprocket wheel on the shaft of the said drum driving gear whereby said gears can be alined when the angular position of the stencilis changed.

20. In a machine for vdecorating ware with paint or similar material, a main supporting frame, a supplemental frame adjustable on said main frame, a drum supporting shaft and means whereby it can be connected at different points with said supplemental frame for changing the angular relation of said shaft in respect to said main frame. a frusto-conical stencil-drum com'- posed of a base portion and segmental stencil carrying frames adjustable on the said base portion to vary the inclination of the sides of the drum to the axis thereof, said drum rotatingly supported at its axis on said shaft.

21. In a machine for decorating ware with paint or similar material, a main supporting frame, a supplemental frame adjustable on said in respect to said main frame', a frusto-conical stencil drum com- 1 ciling means including a circular stencil screen,

means for applying paint or the like to the stencil through the screen, a conveyor for successively moving articles of ware to be stenciled to the surface of the screen, y and'means for bringing the articles into contact with the screen; said conveyor moving on an axis substantially at right angles to the axis oi the stenciling screen.

23. In a stenciling machine. a rotatable stenciling means including a circular stencil screen, means for applying paint or the like to the stencil through the screen, a conveyor for successively m ving articles of ware to be stenciled to position adjacent the screen, said conveyor including a plurality of radially disposed cradles adapted to support the articles of Ware radially with respect to the axis of rotation of the conveyor, said cradles including support rollers for permitting 10 easy rotation oi the articles of ware, said conveyor moving on an axis substantially at right angles to the axis of the stenciling screen and means associated withthe conveyor for bringing the articles of ware and the screen into contact. 15

WILBUR M; sEcoY. 

